Panasonic G10 vs Sony RX100 IV

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively,
in March 2010 and June 2015. The G10 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the RX100 IV is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (G10) and an one-inch (RX100 IV) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 12 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 and the
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Panasonic G10 and the Sony RX100 IV. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Sony RX100 IV is considerably smaller (43 percent) than the Panasonic G10. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the G10 nor the RX100 IV are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the RX100 IV has a lens built in,
whereas the G10 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the G10 and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the G10 gets 380 shots out of its DMW-BLB13 battery,
while the RX100 IV can take 280 images on a single charge of its NP-BX1 power pack. The power pack in the RX100 IV can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left
arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and
make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic G10 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Sony RX100 IV
an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the RX100 IV is 48 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 2.7. The sensor in the G10 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the RX100 IV offers a 3:2 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the RX100 IV offers a higher
resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 12 MP of the G10.
This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel
(with a pixel pitch of 2.41μm versus 4.33μm for the G10). However, it should be noted that the RX100 IV is much more recent (by 5 years and 3 months) than the G10, and its sensor
will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400.
The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV are ISO 125 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-25600.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the RX100 IV offers substantially better image quality than the G10 (overall score 18 points higher). The advantage is based on 1.6 bits higher color depth, 2.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.5 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

Camera Model

Sensor Class

Resolution (MP)

Horiz. Pixels

Vert. Pixels

Video Format

DXO Portrait

DXO Landscape

DXO Sports

DXO Overall

Camera Model

Panasonic G10

Four Thirds

12.0

4000

3000

720/30p

21.2

10.1

411

52

Panasonic G10

Sony RX100 IV

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

22.8

12.6

591

70

Sony RX100 IV

Canon G7 X

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

1080/60p

23.0

12.7

556

71

Canon G7 X

Olympus E-PL2

Four Thirds

12.2

4032

3024

720/30p

21.4

10.2

573

55

Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1

Four Thirds

12.2

4032

3024

720/30p

21.5

10.1

487

54

Olympus E-PL1

Panasonic FZ1000

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

22.1

11.7

517

64

Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic GF5

Four Thirds

12.0

4000

3000

1080/60i

21.4

11.6

618

61

Panasonic GF5

Panasonic G3

Four Thirds

15.8

4592

3448

1080/60i

21.0

10.6

667

56

Panasonic G3

Panasonic GF3

Four Thirds

12.0

4000

3000

1080/60i

20.6

10.0

458

49

Panasonic GF3

Panasonic G2

Four Thirds

12.0

4000

3000

720/30p

21.2

10.3

493

53

Panasonic G2

Panasonic GF2

Four Thirds

12.0

4000

3000

1080/60i

21.2

10.3

506

54

Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GH2

Four Thirds

15.9

4608

3456

1080/60i

21.2

11.3

655

60

Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GF1

Four Thirds

12.0

4000

3000

720/30p

21.2

10.3

513

54

Panasonic GF1

Panasonic G1

Four Thirds

12.0

4000

3000

none

21.1

10.3

463

53

Panasonic G1

Sony RX100 VII

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

21.8

12.4

418

63

Sony RX100 VII

Sony RX100 V

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

22.8

12.4

586

70

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 III

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

1080/60p

22.4

12.3

495

67

Sony RX100 III

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the RX100 IV provides a better video resolution than the G10. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Panasonic is limited to 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder.
However, the one in the RX100 IV offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the G10 (2359k vs 202k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Panasonic G10 and Sony RX100 IV in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

Camera Model

Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots)

Control Panel (yes/no)

LCD Size (inch)

LCD Resolution ('000 dots)

LCD Attach- ment

Touch Screen (yes/no)

Mech Shutter Speed

Shutter Flaps (1/sec)

Built-in Flash (yes/no)

Built-in Image Stab

Camera Model

Panasonic G10

202

n

3.0

460

fixed

n

1/4000s

2.6

Y

n

Panasonic G10

Sony RX100 IV

2359

n

3.0

1228

tilting

n

1/2000s

16.0

Y

Y

Sony RX100 IV

Canon G7 X

none

n

3.0

1040

tilting

Y

1/2000s

6.5

Y

Y

Canon G7 X

Olympus E-PL2

optional

n

3.0

460

fixed

n

1/4000s

3.0

Y

Y

Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1

optional

n

2.7

230

fixed

n

1/2000s

3.0

Y

Y

Olympus E-PL1

Panasonic FZ1000

2359

n

3.0

921

swivel

n

1/4000s

12.0

Y

Y

Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic GF5

none

n

3.0

920

fixed

Y

1/4000s

4.0

Y

n

Panasonic GF5

Panasonic G3

1440

n

3.0

460

swivel

Y

1/4000s

4.0

Y

n

Panasonic G3

Panasonic GF3

none

n

3.0

460

fixed

Y

1/4000s

3.2

Y

n

Panasonic GF3

Panasonic G2

1440

n

3.0

460

swivel

Y

1/4000s

2.6

Y

n

Panasonic G2

Panasonic GF2

optional

n

3.0

460

fixed

Y

1/4000s

2.6

Y

n

Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GH2

1534

n

3.0

460

swivel

n

1/4000s

3.0

Y

n

Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GF1

optional

n

3.0

460

fixed

n

1/4000s

3.0

Y

n

Panasonic GF1

Panasonic G1

1440

n

3.0

460

swivel

n

1/4000s

3.0

Y

n

Panasonic G1

Sony RX100 VII

2359

n

3.0

921

tilting

Y

1/2000s

90.0

Y

Y

Sony RX100 VII

Sony RX100 V

2359

n

3.0

1229

tilting

n

1/2000s

24.0

Y

Y

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 III

1440

n

3.0

1229

tilting

n

1/2000s

10.0

Y

Y

Sony RX100 III

The RX100 IV has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by
vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the G10 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while
others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the RX100 IV is one of those camera that have an additional
electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or
shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The G10 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the RX100 IV uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The RX100 IV supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the G10 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

Camera Model

Hotshoe Port

Internal Microphone

Internal Speaker

Microphone Port

Headphone Port

HDMI Port

USB Port

WiFi Support

NFC Support

Bluetooth Support

Camera Model

Panasonic G10

Y

mono

none

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic G10

Sony RX100 IV

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Sony RX100 IV

Canon G7 X

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Canon G7 X

Olympus E-PL2

Y

stereo

none

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1

Y

stereo

none

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Olympus E-PL1

Panasonic FZ1000

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic GF5

-

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic GF5

Panasonic G3

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic G3

Panasonic GF3

-

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic GF3

Panasonic G2

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic G2

Panasonic GF2

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GH2

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GF1

Y

mono

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic GF1

Panasonic G1

Y

none

none

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic G1

Sony RX100 VII

-

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

Y

Sony RX100 VII

Sony RX100 V

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 III

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Sony RX100 III

It is notable that the G10 has a hotshoe, while the RX100 IV does not. This socket makes it possible to easily
attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Both the G10 and the RX100 IV have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used
on eBay. The G10 was replaced by the Panasonic G3, while the RX100 IV was followed by the Sony RX100 IV. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official
Panasonic and Sony websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Panasonic G10 and the Sony RX100 IV? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10:

Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.52x vs 0.22x).

Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.

More modern: Reflects 5 years and 3 months of technical progress since the G10 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX100 IV is the clear winner of the contest (20 : 6 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges
from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera
is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the G10 or the RX100 IV perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge,
reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.